Cradle for a twisting machine

Abstract

Cradle for a twisting machine with a reel spindle and friction engaging means to engage a reel mounted upon the spindle. The friction engaging means faces the free end of the spindle and is movable axially away from the free end against a resilient means. A means is provided to urge the reel against the engaging means. In a practical structure, the friction engaging means is annular.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cradle for a twisting machine comprising a reel spindle for supporting a reel of filamentary material in a reel support position upon the spindle,   the spindle rotatably mounted upon a support and having a free end,   an annular braking member surrounding and secured to the spindle,   means to apply a braking force to the braking member and thus to the spindle,   friction engaging means rotatable together with and about the axis of the spindle, for frictional engagement with the reel, said friction engaging means having a friction surface facing towards the free end of the spindle, and   resiliently compressive means to urge the friction surface towards the free end of the spindle, and   means for urging a reel when mounted upon the spindle against the friction surface   to urge the friction engaging means against the resiliently compressive means   to positively drivably couple the reel with the spindle and the braking member.   
     
     
       2. A cradle according to claim 1 wherein the friction engaging means is annular and surrounds the axis of the spindle. 
     
     
       3. A cradle according to claim 2 wherein the resiliently compressive means comprises a plurality of springs in angularly spaced apart positions of the friction engaging means relative to the spindle axis. 
     
     
       4. A cradle according to claim 3 wherein the friction engaging means is axially movably mounted upon the braking member. 
     
     
       5. A cradle according to claim 4 wherein the friction engaging means comprises a reel engaging member secured to a backing member and said backing member is axially movably mounted on the braking member by means of pins fixed to the backing member and slidably received by holes in the braking member. 
     
     
       6. A cradle according to claim 1, wherein the means for urging the reel against the friction surface comprises an annular locking member having two axially movable portions and a spring means normally holding said portions to define a maximum axial length for the locking member which also has an inwardly directed location element, and the spindle has a surface groove for reception of the location element, the groove having an opening at the free end of the spindle and a blind end portion which extends towards the free end to terminate at the blind end short of the free end, disposition of the location element within the blind end portion and at the blind end of the groove causing the spring means to apply an axial force through the axially movable portions to urge the reel against the friction surface.